United may yet pay over £20 million for Southampton's Sadio Mane to add to
their attacking ranks, with Hernandez set to move to Bayer Leverkusen

Louis Van Gaal has informed Javier Hernandez that he can leave Manchester United before the transfer window closes on Tuesday evening with Bayer Leverkusen emerging as favourites to sign the 27-year-old.

The impending departure of Hernandez will leave United with just Wayne Rooney as a recognised striker for this season – unless Van Gaal makes an unexpected late signing which the club do not now expect.

Van Gaal may make a fresh move for Southampton’s Saido Mane, with United having indicated they are willing to pay more than £20million despite being told he is not for sale, but the 23-year-old Senegal international is not an out-and-out striker.

United may splash out on Sadio Mane

Instead Van Gaal will rely on Marouane Fellaini, Adnan Januzaj and Memphis Depay along with James Wilson as his options as alternatives to Rooney.

The final straw for Hernandez, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, was his performance in the Champions League play-off second leg away to Brugge when the Mexican international missed a penalty.

Hernandez put in a poor display at Club Brugge in midweek

Hernandez has one year left on his contract at United and it is unclear what scale of fee the club will demand for the striker who joined them in 2010 and has scored 37 goals in 103 appearances earning a super-sub status under Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is understood that Hernandez prefers a move to Bayer Leverkusen because the German club are in the Champions League. He is wanted by West Ham United, who have hoped to conclude a deal all summer, but is set to disappoint the Premier League club.

West Ham are also desperate to add to their attacking options with the club considering a late move for Nikica Jelavic who has been told he can leave Hull City. The 29-year-old is well-known to West Ham manager Slaven Bilic having played under him for Croatia.